President Lazarus Chakwera has launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing fish production to improve food and nutrition security in the country. Speaking on Friday at the official commissioning of the K525 million Mzuzu Fish Feed Mill, Chakwera emphasized the importance of a robust fisheries industry.
“By maximizing fish feed production through this factory, we can better support the fisheries sector to meet both local demand and contribute to economic growth,” Chakwera stated.
He underscored the government’s commitment to creating a resilient industry that provides a sustainable alternative protein source to strengthen food security.
Vice President Michael Usi, also serving as Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank for financing the project. He highlighted the potential for Malawi’s aquatic food systems to become engines of economic growth, improved nutrition, and environmental sustainability through collaborative efforts with development partners.
Director of Fisheries Felix Zidana noted that poor-quality fish feed had long hampered local fish production, forcing farmers to import feed from neighboring countries, including Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and South Africa. This reliance on imports drained valuable foreign exchange resources.
The newly established mill has the capacity to produce 9,600 metric tons of fish feed annually, a significant step forward but still far short of the country’s demand of 200,000 metric tons per year.
“This mill will alleviate some challenges for fish farmers and reduce the dependency on imports,” Zidana said.
The commissioning of the Mzuzu Fish Feed Mill marks a critical milestone in Malawi’s efforts to strengthen its fisheries sector and ensure food security for its growing population.
